Deuba’s faction responds to Sharma’s 7-point proposal amid internal dispute

KATHMANDU: The Nepali Congress (NC) internal dispute has moved a step forward after former party president Sher Bahadur Deuba’s establishment faction submitted a written response to a seven-point proposal put forward by Vice President Bishwa Prakash Sharma.

Earlier, leader Purna Bahadur Khadka had met Sharma on June 5, presenting his faction’s conditions and agenda. However, no further formal talks have taken place between the two sides since then.

In its response, the establishment faction has expressed agreement on continuing digital updates of party membership but opposed linking non-updated records with eligibility to participate in the general convention.

The faction has also proposed integrating both the 14th general convention-elected committee and the committee formed through the special convention, stating that the central committee should be completed by merging members from both sides while maintaining traditional seniority protocols.

It further emphasized that all committees related to preparations for the 15th general convention—including statute amendment, membership management, election, discipline, audit, administration, and publicity committees—should be formed through mutual consensus between both factions.

The response also calls for consensus-based restructuring of sister and affiliated organizations, following past practice and tradition.

According to the proposal, the party should move toward holding the 15th general convention while simultaneously expanding organizational activities and launching a national campaign on democratic practices, rule of law, and citizens’ concerns.

Meanwhile, efforts for internal reconciliation are ongoing, with leaders including Purna Bahadur Khadka, Dr. Shekhar Koirala, and Krishna Prasad Sitaula holding discussions with senior leaders, including Vice President Sharma, to narrow differences.

Full text of Purna Bahadur Khadka’s response (summary points)

1. Accepts coexistence of differing views on the 15th general convention while agreeing to integrate members of both committees into a unified central committee, maintaining traditional hierarchy and seniority.
2. All party departments and committees under the unified structure to be formed through consensus.
3. Preparatory committees for the 15th general convention—including statute amendment, membership, election, discipline, audit, administration, and publicity—should be formed with balanced representation from both sides.
4. Membership renewal and updates largely completed by December 25, 2025. Outstanding renewals and new eligible members to be processed within a defined timeframe. Digital membership entry to continue, but should not be interpreted as a criterion for convention participation. Any such restrictive provisions should be removed.
5. Sister and affiliate organizations to be restructured based on consensus, past tradition, and experience.
6. Any legal or procedural ambiguities affecting party unity should be clarified and, if necessary, suspended or revoked through consensus.
7. Calls for full party unity and launching a national campaign focused on organizational expansion, preparation for the 15th general convention, democratic governance, rule of law, and citizen issues.